The German ocean liner SS Cap Arcona was one of the most celebrated luxury liners in the world. When the Nazis seized control in Germany she was stripped down for use as a floating barracks and troop transport. During the war Goebbels cast her as the "star" in a propaganda film about the sinking of the legendary Titanic. Used to transport German soldiers and civilians across the Baltic, in the Third Reichs final days the ship was packed with thousands of concentration camp prisoners (without adequate water, food, or sanitary facilities) and was mistakenly bombed by the British Royal Air Force. Watson has unearthed forgotten records to expose a riveting account of the Cap Arcona's devastating role in World War II and the Holocaust.

Introduction: history's secrets -- Part I. Opening act: Germany's Titanic -- A bold idea -- The queen of the Atlantic -- An urgent message -- Part II. Starring role: Nazi propaganda film -- Rewriting history -- Hollywood on the Rhine -- Raising the Titanic -- The celebrated Selpin -- A new star -- The sinking of the Titanic -- Part III. Third role: evacuation ship -- The tide of war changes -- Evacuation -- Neuengamme -- A cruel race -- Swedish savior -- Part IV. Final role: floating concentration camp -- Exodus -- Floating concentration camps -- In the bunker -- Operation Rainbow -- Death from above -- Waves -- Part V, Curtain call -- Final act -- Aftermath.